2013 chevrolet cruze Model Overview

Overall Rating:

StarStarStarNo-StarNo-Star

3 of 5

Since its introduction a few years ago, the Chevrolet Cruze has become a strong offering in the fiercely competitive compact car segment. Sure, the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic sell in bigger numbers, but the Cruze has proven a worthy domestic alternative thanks to its variety of trim levels and respectable fuel economy. The 2013 Cruze continues to build upon that solid foundation.

The Chevrolet Cruze Eco, for example, is EPA rated at 28/42 mpg city/highway when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission (26/39 for the automatic). The Cruze Eco employs a number of fuel-saving techniques and technologies including active grille shutters, low-resistance tires, and revised transmission gearing targeted at keeping the engine revving low. In our six-car comparison of 40-mpg highway compact sedans, the Cruze Eco placed second and posted the best fuel numbers among the group. Power comes from a small 1.4-liter turbo-four cylinder engine that produces 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque.

The same engine powers other Cruze trim levels including the 1LT, 2LT, and the LTZ; The base LS model gets a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four cylinder (138-hp and 125 lb-ft) and is EPA rated at 25/36 mpg city/highway when paired with the six-speed manual gearbox (22/35 with the auto). Standard items on all Cruze models include Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and remote keyless entry. Opting for the top-of-the-line LTZ trim nets automatic climate control, rear vision camera, and push-button start.

New for 2013

The 2013 Chevy Cruze 1LT is now offered with a Driver Convenience Package that adds a six-way power driver seat, rear camera, and heated power mirrors. MyLink and a touchscreen infotainment system are standard on Cruze Eco, 2LT, and LTZ models and three new paint colors have been added: Cyber Gray, Champagne Silver, and Atlantis Blue.

Key Competitors

Sum Up

2013 Chevrolet Cruze Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$18,225

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$11,975

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

Units Affected

2990

Recall ID#14V151000 - POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Consequence

If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.4L turbo engine, and manufactured between November 28, 2012, and March 7, 2014. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, as needed, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. GM will send an interim letter to owners in May 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's number for this recall is 14079. This is an expansion of recall 13V-452. NOTE: Some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners will be advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles.

Units Affected

174046

Recall ID#13V452000 - POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Consequence

If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with manual transmissions (MF3/MR5) and manufactured January 24, 2013, through August 1, 2013. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

Remedy

General Motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13276.

Units Affected

3161

Recall ID#14V372000 - AIR BAGS

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's air bag, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the air bag does not inflate, the driver is at an increased risk of injury.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14305.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze News and Reviews

Do you obsess over how much energy your car's engine creates, and worry about the fuel being destroyed for your driving pleasure? (Why are you reading this magazine?) Actually, one of this universe's immutable laws is that energy can never be created or destroyed. But it can change forms. Most cars lug around a tankful of potential energy disguised as…

Chevrolet Cruze sales took a surprising upswing in June, with the compact bow-tie passing the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra to take the compact sales lead. For most of 2013, the Cruze has hovered just below a podium finish in fourth or fifth place.Chevrolet sold 32,871 Cruze sedans last month, an increase of 9816 units from…

General Motors had its highest month of sales since September 2008, with 264,843 vehicles sold in the U.S. in June 2013. This result also represents a 6.5 percent increase over June of last year. Year-to-date sales are up as well with 1,420,346, eight percent higher than last year.Winner: Chevrolet Cruze – 32,871 sales, up 73.2 percentThe Cruze had a huge…

We caught another glimpse of the next-generation 2015 Chevrolet Cruze out testing. Our spy photos reveal that, as with the previous prototype we saw, this car's design appears inspired by that of a sibling within the Chevrolet brand -- the Sonic.The next Chevrolet Cruze clearly takes cues from the Sonic sedan and hatchback, adopting that car's tapered nose, descending hood,…

A refreshed Chevrolet Captiva crossover makes its global debut next week at the Geneva Motor Show. Joining it in the European Chevy lineup will be the Chevrolet Cruze wagon, the latest Cruze variant we won't get here in the U.S.The Geneva debut of the updated Captiva represents isn’t the first update Chevy's given the crossover – it was last revised…